Local Value It’s been more than 60 years since KQED began broadcasting in San Francisco out of the back of a station wagon. Although much has changed since then, we continue to create high-quality content, uphold our commitment to facts and independence and launch journeys of learning. Our focus is local; we’re of and for the Bay Area. In 2019, we broke ground on the renovation of our home, building a place of trust that’s more open to our community and drives innovation. And, as always, our work remains relevant, essential and bold, as you’ll discover in this report. In 2019, KQED offered critical local Our local impact was strong stories and services that included: and included: Investigating California’s rising heat-related deaths Leading an unprecedented collaboration of and innovative ways to survive wildfires — stories newsrooms throughout California to expose that weren’t covered by commercial news outlets. long-secret information on police misconduct. Delivering coverage of PG&E’s power shut-offs Partnering with PBS NewsHour Student in response to wildfire threats, offering the latest Reporting Labs and California high schools information about areas affected, ways to prepare to mentor student reporters in digital video and issues surrounding PG&E policies. storytelling skills and to produce stories on controversial topics relevant to their lives. Discovering how Bay Area artists and creative entrepreneurs are making ends meet in Delivering a larger-than-national Bay Area the most expensive region of the country. television audience rating for the premiere of Ken Burns’ Country Music. Engaging with creators, artists and culture keepers to learn about the past, present and future of the Bay Area through art. Reporting local, statewide and national news KQED: Where facts matter, daily from San Francisco and Los Angeles — plus providing unique, in-depth storytelling — in The stories empower and California Report, which is carried by more than 70 public radio stations statewide. bold conversations begin. Dear Members, 2019 closed out a decade of highs, lows and In September, we began a two-year renovation meaningful shifts: the athletic triumphs of the of our headquarters at 2601 Mariposa Street in Giants and the Warriors, the wrenching tragedies of San Francisco’s Mission district. We are building the housing crisis and wildfires, the ripple effects a place of trust that is more open and accessible of Occupy Oakland, the Ghost Ship Fire and the to the community, more modern so that the best burgeoning gig economy. talent in public media can create and innovate. In 2020, division and polarization — plus widening Further, it is better designed for events where gaps in equity, equality, the economy and people can connect through civic and civil dialogue opportunity — bring major ongoing challenges. as well as spirited debate. April will mark my first full year as president of In the interim, we’ve moved to 50 Beale Street in KQED, and I believe that now, more than ever, downtown San Francisco to maintain the continuity this treasured institution is in a unique position of our stellar community service. As you’ll find in of strength to thrive amidst great uncertainty this Annual Report to the Community, we have and change. several initiatives showcasing our journalism, John Boland, whose tenure as president began in our storytelling and our events. KQED’s news 2010, retired in September and took his place in team leads the California Reporting Project, a our 65-year history as our greatest change agent. collaboration of 40 newsrooms statewide to expose Under John’s leadership, KQED transformed into a police misconduct and misuse of force. Two new multimedia organization, delivering on our mission units — one focused on climate change and the to provide the most trusted and highest-quality other on affordable housing — go deeply into programming and services on broadcast and digital these two defining issues of our time. Our Arts platforms. Significant investments in original, local and Culture team brings you The Hustle, profiling content have enabled us to fill gaps created by the the shrinking community of Bay Area artists and decline of local newspapers and media outlets. makers who improvise to make ends meet so that their art can make a difference. As we head into To facilitate John’s vision, in 2014, I restructured the 2020 election, KQED is sponsoring On Common KQED to build on our television and radio services Ground, a series of public events that explore what with multimedia units in news, arts, science and binds us together and our common responsibilities education. With six local news desks and expanded to each other, and Ballots and Brews, which gets coverage to include weekend news, breaking voters ready before they cast their ballots. Finally, news and investigative journalism, KQED has the KQED’s education team launches the Youth Media largest local newsroom in public media. We are Challenge: Let’s Talk About Election 2020 to the regional authority on issues such as affordable highlight youth-created media with an eye toward housing, climate change, immigration, and politics our future. and government. With podcasts like Bay Curious and Truth Be Told, plus online video series such Your expectations and our responsibilities are as Above the Noise, Deep Look and If Cities Could greater than ever. Your support — whether you Dance, we reach and serve audiences in new and watch, listen, go online, attend our events or different ways. contribute financially — enables us to achieve our aspirations on behalf of the Bay Area. My The return on our investments has been impressive. hope is that KQED will help foster understanding, KQED’s audience and membership levels are build empathy, cultivate respect and bring more at their highest. Every week, almost one out of compassion so that we can lift each other up. two Bay Area adults watch, listen to or go online to KQED. Thank you on behalf of all of us here at KQED and the millions of Bay Area residents who However, our evolution is not yet complete, depend on our services. and the next phase will enable us to better inform, inspire and involve our communities. In a time when our social fabric is unraveling, Sincerely, we will step up to combine media, journalism, technology and place to build community. Michael J. Isip President & Chief Executive Officer Dear Members, I know the Board is particularly proud of KQED’s KQED exists to inform, involve and inspire all Bay response to the PG&E power shutoffs, providing Area residents with high-quality and trusted news, the many affected communities with information content and educational services. This responsibility about where blackouts were scheduled to occur is immense, especially in today’s political world, and how to prepare and careful coverage of all and KQED accepts the challenge of being a leader of the resulting controversies. in media. I want to publicly thank the outstanding team This Annual Report to the Community highlights we have at KQED, under the leadership of some of the many ways KQED is living its values and our new President and CEO Michael Isip, for meeting the challenges of a changing world. In 2019, their dedication to the vision of creating the KQED formed key partnerships to cover the issues most innovative and responsive public media that matter most. A few highlights: organization in the country. I also want to recognize KQED led an unprecedented collaboration of the impact of our President Emeritus John Boland, newsrooms throughout California to expose long- who led the transformation of KQED into a 21st secret information on police misconduct and the century multimedia organization between 2010 use of force. and 2019. And I remain grateful for the hardworking members of our Board of Directors and their We provided extensive coverage and an online tremendous service to KQED. product with resources and ways for people to share stories ideas as well as their perspectives Most of all, I want to thank you, our audience of the Oakland Unified School District teachers’ and members, for your continued support, which strike. provides the majority of KQED’s annual operating budget. Thank you for joining me in supporting KQED’s Arts and Culture team celebrated the and engaging with KQED to help build a thriving real impact Bay Area artists are making in their community. communities with the launch of the radio and podcast series Rightnowish. The Arts and Culture team also profiled artists Hank Barry improvising ways to live in and make art in the most expensive region in the country in the online article series The Hustle. KQED’s award-winning YouTube series for teens — Above the Noise — partnered with the Chair, KQED Board PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs and of Directors California high schools to produce episodes on controversial topics that are directly relevant to young people’s lives. 2019 KQED Senior 2019 KQED Board of Directors Leadership Team Anne Avis, Hank Barry, Ray Bingham, Michael Blach, Steven Bochner, John Buoymaster, Jennifer Cabalquinto, Tom Chavez, President & Chief Chief Financial Officer Brian Cheu, Simone Otus Coxe, Karen Edwards, Shadi Karra, Nancy Executive Officer Mitzie Kelley Richards Farese, Meg Garlinghouse, Alexandra van Helden, Chuck Michael Isip Chief Content Officer Kissner, Sarah Kunst, Edward Lichty, Julia Lopez, Kay Matthews, Jen Holly Kernan President Emeritus McClure, Ann O’Leary, Mark Perry, Raj Pherwani, Nadia Roumani, John Boland General Counsel & Nancy Serrurier,